US Plans to Provide Javelin Anti-tank Missiles as Part of 'Enhanced Defense Package' to Ukraine

The US state administration plans to supply Ukraine with 210 anti-tank missiles and 35 launchers as part of $47 million defense package to enhance defensive capabilities.

The announcement came a day after EU leaders agreed to extend tough economic sanctions against Moscow over its meddling in Ukraine for six months, and a week after Ottawa authorised the export of automatic weapons to the country, ABC reported quoting four State Department officials.

The US announced Friday it would provide Ukraine with "enhanced defensive capabilities," a move that could escalate a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

"The United States has decided to provide Ukraine enhanced defensive capabilities as part of our effort to help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to deter further aggression," a State Department statement said.

It added: "US assistance is entirely defensive in nature, and as we have always said, Ukraine is a sovereign country and has a right to defend itself. The United States remains committed to the Minsk agreements as the way forward in eastern Ukraine."